Caribbean Export OUTLOOK 2016 - 2017

TRADE & EXPORT HOT SPOTS

initiative called “Bass Culture Clash.” One of the most talked about acts to emerge from Trinidad and Tobago’s recent romance with electronic music, Jus Now are known for their UKhit dance single, “TunUp”, as well as producing andworking on tracks for the likes of Bunji Garlin, Machel Montano and Beenie Man. On being a Caribbean act performing in Brazil, Lazabeamsays, “althoughBrazilianhistoryweighs more heavily on the Portuguese side, they carry very strongAfrican roots, which are sharedwithmy musical roots in Trinidad. In Brazil ‘Candomble’ is very similar to the ‘Orisha’ traditions and rhythms we have in Trinidad and Tobago, and as a drummer I found it quite a study in contrast and comparison.” Brazilian music, or Música popular brasileira, is quite diverse. Some of the main traditional styles include: samba, pagode, forró, bossa nova, jovem guarda, batacuda and axe. These are joined by many new styles such as technobrega and baile funk which merge more traditional styles with modern influences like electronica,

funk and jazz. In many ways, Brazil is a cousin to the Caribbean region. While there may be a difference in spoken language, both share an ethnic diversity and a passion for football, carnivals and especially percussion drivenmusic. Percussion is at the heart of Brazilian music and to experience cities like Rio, Sao Paolo or Recife is to understand how entrenched music is to the lives of Brazilians. Lazabeam adds that “performing in Brazil as a Caribbean musician felt, in a certain sense, like a pilgrimage to the source of one of the world’s greatest drum cultures. What was most striking is that, even in its most contemporary forms, Brazilian music always incorporates a strong element of their traditional drum culture. Whether it is samba, pagode, samba reggae or even Brazilian hip hop and dance music, one can almost always find a drum section at the front of the stage alongside the singers. This is the same for their recorded music.”

success. Musical acts from the CARIFORUM countries have traditionally been drawn to our North American neighbours and Europe, because those are the markets recognised as “star makers”, where a little known Caribbean act such as Bob Marley or Buena Vista Social Club can achieve recognition and worldwide fame. Additionally, these markets are the location of the Caribbean diaspora who clamour to the stars of their homelands, usually during specific periods of the year such as carnivals or national days. Most musicians do not understand the potential of breaking into or how to penetrate South America, especially Portuguese-speaking Brazil. It’s useful then to understand a little bit about Brazil and the prospects it holds for emerging and established musical acts. The largest and most populous country within South America, Brazil was founded in 1822 as a monarchy, and achieved its current republican status in 1889. Over 204 million people call Brazil home, making it the second largest demographic market in theWesternHemisphere after the US. Quick Facts Size: 3,265,059 sq mi Pop: 204,716,890 Capital: Brasilia Monetary Unit: Real Conversion rate: R3.49 to US$1 Main Economic Activity: Agriculture 8%,

A rapidly changingmusic industry in a globalised word means that it isn’t easy to chart a road to

Industry 22%, Services 70% Source: CIA World Factbook 2015

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